Music has always been the partner of the happiest moments of life and saddest ones as well. Listeners share deeper relations with music whether they have companions or not. Research says every listener or person shares a pattern of preference for particular music genres which reflects their mood. However, that is not necessarily true as a person can like or listen to a ‘sad’ song even if he is happy. Musical creativity, melody, and lyrics could be the elements that attract listeners most but the elements together form a musical ambiance that puts a deeper impact.
In the last year 2020, a journal published in the ‘Emotion’ provided some intricate studies on depressive disorders along with some old research. It showed that there is a desire and presence of music that reflects their mood. While finding the answer to “why depressed people are drawn to melancholic music?”, it provided two possible explanations. The first reason considered the musical and sonic qualities of ‘Sad Songs’ that helps to bust stress. Usually, these songs consist of a mid or low-tempo musical arrangement that evokes a calming sense in the listeners’ minds. The second possible reason is explained as ‘emotional inertia’. The term is referred to a psychologically comforting situation where a song mirrors the person’s current situation or makes a highly relatable approach through music. It is considered as a ‘maladaptive’ nature by the authors as listening to gloomy music can eventually enhance their sadness and the loneliness they are going through.
What the authors have completely forgotten to address is the psychological benefits of music. It has failed to explain the possibilities that somber music can also make sad and depressed people feel good. It helps to ease the pain whether the person is going through deeper pain or trying to overcome it. The contemporary analysis showed is asking people to listen to peppy and upbeat music to take a u-turn from their emotional turmoil. It sounds quite absurd but in reality, ambient music therapy helps to stay calm and reduce stress. It is not just music, but people tend to put everything under the categories like, ‘positive’ and ‘negative’. But there is a grey area of emotional aspects that consider messy, contradictory, and often-unexplainable feelings. Music and other art forms do not just reduce emotions but deepen and expand them with a richer essence. It makes it possible to feel good while brooding over sadness.
Mary Beth Oliver, a professor of media studies at Penn State University said, “When we watch something or listen to something that undeniably does make us feel sad at some level, it’s not like we’re only seeking to feel sad.” She explained, “I think we’re trying to have a greater insight into the bigger questions — the purpose of life, or of human virtue.” ‘Sad’ songs are not really sad but ‘meaningful’ and ‘poignant’ tracks that convey the truth. Philosopher Hegel wrote, that true art “reveals to consciousness the deepest interests of humanity.” Music helps to expand our perspective of life and one should listen to whatever he likes that helps to deal with life.